U.S. Navy stretched thin to cover global contingencies

U.S. Navy stretched thin to cover global contingencies

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler, November 10, 2023 In the game of baseball, the defending team must cover all bases; First, Second and Third. No matter how good and fast a player is, one person “Can’t cover all bases,” as the expression goes.  Cover one and the ball would be hit to another. […]

‘Shame on you’; Israel slams UN’s irrelevance as Gaza crisis ‘dangerously’ widens

‘Shame on you’; Israel slams UN’s irrelevance as Gaza crisis ‘dangerously’ widens

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler, November 2, 2023 War clouds are swirling in the Middle East as the region steps closer to the precipice. The Second Stage of Israel’s military offensive against Hamas has now begun with all out fighting in the Gaza strip between the terrorists and the State of Israel. But […]

From beautiful Geneva campus, UN Rights Council presides over far-flung, horrific abuses

From beautiful Geneva campus, UN Rights Council presides over far-flung, horrific abuses

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler, October 20, 2023 Over the past year human rights abuses in places ranging from Afghanistan to Ukraine, and to Myanmar/Burma, Xinjiang China, the Middle East, to name a few sordid cases, have splashed across the headlines. Just in the past month, ethnic cleansing of Christian Armenians from Muslim […]

It’s only words? Growing concerns voiced as East Asian security debated at UN

It’s only words? Growing concerns voiced as East Asian security debated at UN

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler, October 6, 2023 A wide swath of Asian security issues was discussed and deliberated upon during the recent UN General debate. Predictably, China and Korea dominated concerns though other concerns such as the South China Sea were largely overlooked. Speaking at the start of the 78th Assembly, President […]

Of no consequence: UN General Assembly debates Ukraine war, moves on

Of no consequence: UN General Assembly debates Ukraine war, moves on

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler, September 27, 2023 The arc of history passed through the UN last week as the global Assembly debated and deliberated on the ongoing war in Ukraine. Storm clouds from far off Eastern Europe descended over the delegations meeting in New York, who while largely and resolutely condemning the […]

UN Assembly opens amid widening wars and humanitarian crises

UN Assembly opens amid widening wars and humanitarian crises

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler, September 17, 2023 Presidents, prime ministers, kings and potentates are converging on New York for the opening session of the United Nations General Assembly. The 78th annual Assembly of the world organization presents both a global gala and expanded Summit meeting to try to solve a myriad of […]

After Afghanistan: Global conflicts widen, endure and spread

After Afghanistan: Global conflicts widen, endure and spread

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler, September 8, 2023 It’s been two years since the fall of Afghanistan. The tragic collapse of Kabul to the Islamic fundamentalist Taliban signaled the last sordid chapter in the Biden Administration’s appalling and shambolic “withdrawal” from America’s longest military commitment. But beyond the perceived American weakness and strategic […]

UN Security Council shines a light on Kim dynasty’s rights violations, long ignored by member nations

UN Security Council shines a light on Kim dynasty’s rights violations, long ignored by member nations

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler, August 27, 2023 Most countries politely prefer to look the other way when it comes to confronting widespread reports of North Korean human rights violations. After all what can you do about what goes on in one of the world’s most closed and repressive communist regimes [headed by […]

Coup in geostrategic Niger confronts France — and U.S. — with Russia’s expanding footprint

Coup in geostrategic Niger confronts France — and U.S. — with Russia’s expanding footprint

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler, August 13, 2023 PARIS — The recent military coup d’etat in Niger, a vast and arid land on the southern tier of the Sahara, underscores the widening political crisis in Africa’s Sahel region, where instability, dire poverty and Islamic jihadi terrorism, have stalked the land. Thus, when Gen. […]

Paris Olympics countdown begins with expected complications, security and rights concerns

Paris Olympics countdown begins with expected complications, security and rights concerns

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler, August 7, 2023 PARIS — The one-year countdown for the opening of the Paris Summer Olympics has begun. The return of the Olympics to France is largely met with eager anticipation for this international sporting extravaganza, but is equally tempered by the usual security concerns, political controversies, and […]